Amidst the roil of war and instability across the Middle East; the West is still searching for ways to understand the Islamic world. Stéphane Lacroix has now given us a penetrating look at the political dynamics of Saudi Arabia; one of the most opaque of Muslim countries and the place that gave birth to Osama bin Laden. The result is a history that has never been told before. Lacroix shows how thousands of Islamist militants from Egypt; Syria; and other Middle Eastern countries; starting in the 1950s; escaped persecution and found refuge in Saudi Arabia; where they were integrated into the core of key state institutions and society. The transformative result was the Sahwa; or “Islamic Awakening;†an indigenous social movement that blended political activism with local religious ideas. Awakening Islam offers a pioneering analysis of how the movement became an essential element of Saudi society; and why; in the late 1980s; it turned against the very state that had nurtured it. Though the “Sahwa Insurrection†failed; it has bequeathed the world two very different; and very determined; heirs: the Islamo-liberals; who seek an Islamic constitutional monarchy through peaceful activism; and the neo-jihadis; supporters of bin Laden's violent campaign. Awakening Islam is built upon seldom-seen documents in Arabic; numerous travels through the country; and interviews with an unprecedented number of Saudi Islamists across the ranks of today’s movement. The result affords unique insight into a closed culture and its potent brand of Islam; which has been exported across the world and which remains dangerously misunderstood.
#1825002 in Books Belknap Press 2010-03-30 2009-09-28Original language:FrenchPDF # 1 7.96 x .99 x 6.50l; .91 #File Name: 0674034740384 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Primary sourceBy Dr. Larry LeibrockPrimary source9 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Very InformativeBy DennisMcGVery interesting book it is a series of translations of various type of communications from the top Al Qaeda leaders along with personal biographies on each of them. I found reading these communications helpful in giving me an idea of the rationalization of these murderous fanatics1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Valuable source of insight into al Qaeda's key playersBy Dr. Michael ToneyKepel and his colleagues provide a valuable source of insight into al Qaeda. The chapter on al-Zawahiri presented a much needed description and structure to his past influences and transformation to a Jihadist. I strongly recommend this book to those interested in the inner workings of terrorist organizations; particularly as a primary reference when researching the subject. For me this book valuable as an authoritative source for my book on[...] and my continued research of terrorist organizational and leadership behaviors.
